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Share this Story: Edmonton Public Schools issues more than 1,800 layoff notices after COVID-19 cuts

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Edmonton Public Schools has temporarily laid off 1,868 support and custodial staff following a $17.5-million cut by the province due to COVID-19.

The layoffs, which include 1,094 educational assistants, are effective May 15. Board Chair Trisha Estabrooks said the district was able to find some ways to save money but not enough to avoid the layoffs.

Edmonton Public Schools issues more than 1,800 layoff notices after COVID-19 cutsBack to video

“These cuts are significant. These aren’t just numbers, these are real people,” she said in an interview Friday afternoon. “I want to assure all staff that, whether laid off or not, that you are valuable members of Edmonton Public Schools.”

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Just got some revised numbers about today's layoffs at Edmonton Public Schools (1,868 employees let go). This does not include all supply teachers and support staff who were laid off near the end of March, before the provincial funding was clawed back. #abed#yegpic.twitter.com/9raMqP6K2E

The district also said Friday all substitute teachers and supply support staff were given layoff notices near the end of March after schools were ordered closed, before the province announced it was redirecting $128-million from Alberta schools to combat the pandemic.

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Edmonton Public Schools Supt. Darrel Robertson said that while many educational assistants have been let go, they were key to helping teachers transition to online instruction. Some have kept their jobs.

“All these staff are needed under normal circumstances. They do incredible work supporting our very complex classrooms,” Robertson said in a videoconference.

Union, NDP not convinced jobs will be restored

Estabrooks has said she fully expects the province to make good on its promise to restore the funding once classes resume, but CUPE Alberta President Rory Gill isn’t convinced its members who lost their jobs will return in September.

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“We know that district has to cut $90 million from its funding in September, ” he said in a news release. “Depending on a few variables, between 600-800 support staff will not return.

“When Jason Kenney and (education minister) Adriana LaGrange say the layoffs are temporary and due to COVID, they are lying.”

CUPE estimates 7,500 school support staff have been given layoff notices across the province, as well as 6,000 substitute teachers.

The provincial government disputes the claims.

“It is disappointing that CUPE is misleading Albertans with false allegations and placing unnecessary stress on these workers,” Colin Aitchison, press secretary to LaGrange, said in an email statement.

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“In fact, every single school division is projected to receive an increase in operational funding from the government for the 2020-21 school year. The recent funding adjustments are temporary, and regular funding levels will return once in-person classes resume.”

NDP education critic Sarah Hoffman said the work the support staff does is important, and she’s worried some may not return in September.

“I’ve been speaking with staff, parents and students and they are all saying they need more support now — not less. Staff have been providing vital emergency at-home learning support for students since March 15 when classes were cancelled,” she said in a press release in response to the job losses.

“Minister LaGrange promised to maintain funding to schools. Less than two weeks later, she made these devastating cuts. Doing this during this global health crisis demonstrates her failure to do the job Albertans elected her to do, to protect our students and keep Albertans working.”

Editor’s note: CUPE initially reported 2,100 layoff notices were issued this week. The story has been updated to reflect the correct numbers from Edmonton Public Schools.

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